HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-05-22-LEX250-minSemiquincentennial Commission (Lex250)
May 22, 2024 Meeting Minutes
Pursuant to notice duly filed with the Town Clerk, the Semiquincentennial Commission (Lex250)
convened in a hybrid format in the Parker Room at the Town Office Building and via Zoom video
conference on Wednesday May 22 at 4:30 by Ms. Barry as allowed by legislation (S.2475)
extending the suspension of certain provisions of the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law.
Present in person:
Suzie Barry, Select Board Member, Chair
Doug Lucente, Select Board Member
Noah Michelson, Community Representative, Clerk
Jane Hundley, LPS 6-8 Social Science Department Head
Cleve Coats, Community Representative
Cerise Jalelian, Town Celebrations Committee Representative
Bebe Fa!lick, Tourism Committee Representative
Julie O'Leary, Civic Representative
Barry Cunha, Business Representative
Present remotely:
Mona Roy, Community Representative, Vice Chair
Jillian Tung, Music & Arts Representative
Ashley Rooney, Community Representative
Paul O'Shaughnessy, Historical Organization Representative
Bridger McGaw, Community Representative
John Rossi, Commission on Disability Liaison
Sandhya Iyer, Economic Development Director
Staff from John Guilfoil Public Relations (JGPR)
Staff from Anthem Group
• Meeting called to order at 4:33 PM by Ms. Barry
• Announcements
o Discovery Day is this Saturday; there are 2 people signed up per each time slot,
but more are welcome to join.
o The next collaborative meeting is June 6th.
• JGPR Update
o A draft flyer and event web page have been made for the Parker's Prelude event
and sent to the chair for feedback; promotion is ready for activation with a focus
towards town residents.
o The web team is still waiting on feedback and updates for the fundraising and
"We the People" pages.
• Review Collaborative Meeting Agenda
o The next collaborative meeting is Thursday June 6th from 6:30 - 8:30 PM in
Battin Hall.
o Cerise for food, nametags
o Trying to get tea party/rev spaces to talk about their experience
o Higher level transportation update; meeting with four communities and massdot
o Update from public safety and their working groups
o Any funding update if available
• Event Updates for 2024-25
o Parker's Prelude is planned for July 13 2024
o Celebration of the 200th anniversary of Lafayette's visit is planned for September
2024
o October 19th 2024 is six months to go until April 19 2025
■ This could potentially be a time to host a drone show. Cerise will call
drone show companies to get more information.
o April 2025
■ Coordination with celebrations
• Celebrations may become a subcommittee of 250th for a period
■ A time and place needs to be determined for the presentation of awards
that normally happens on the Green on Monday
• Thursday night is one such possibility
■ Thursday, April 17th
• Ken Burns will be premiering clips in Concord in afternoon
• There will be a Patriot Vigil in the national park in the evening
■ Saturday, April 19th
• Reenactment
o Narrative for evacuation reenactment will begin at 5:30 AM
o The second narrative will begin at 5:45 AM
• Pancake Breakfasts are expected to be held as normal
• Lion's Club Road Race
o The race is currently scheduled to begin at 8:00 AM
• USS Lexington Ceremony
• Possible Dignitary Visit
o This is difficult to coordinate with Concord, as they have
extended their parade to 4 miles
• DAR Tree Dedication
o Julie will inquire about the timing of this event
• Parade
• Bicentennial Band concert
o Possibly beginning at 7:00 PM
■ Sunday, April 20th
• Arlington will be holding their parade and battle reenactment
■ Monday
• DAR ceremony at obelisk
• Paul Revere and William Dawes reenactors arrive at 1:00 PM
o There is a need to plan an event to welcome them.
o One possibility is to create a performance around their
arrival
o Another possibility is a "Parade of Plates". This would take
the form of a dinner party around the perimeter of Green
with attendees wearing red, white, and blue, possibly
featuring food from local restaurants.
• Lex250 Monument Update
o Ms. Barry reported that she provided the Select Board with an update on the
sentiments of the Commission regarding the monument project. Ms. Barry
indicated that the Board desires to move forward with the project but is uncertain
of the path forward. The next steps are to meet with the town manager, and try to
identify an individual or individuals who can champion the project.
• Fundraising Team Update
o June 5th is the Get Revved Up event at Revolution Hall, intended to begin
spreading the word about the 250th to key individuals in the community.
• Anthem Update
o Anthem are working through the calendar for the April events, and working to
sync them up with the Commuter Rail schedule.
o Anthem is also working with Jane to secure food trucks without minimums for the
Parker's Prelude event.
• Meeting Adjourned at 6:28
Respectfully Submitted,
Noah Michelson